Speaker: Dr. Parvathy Prem – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Topic: The Moon: Recent Lunar Science and What Lies Ahead

Abstract: The Moon is an old friend and neighbor, with many stories to tell. This presentation will discuss some of the ways in which we have come to understand the Moon better over the past decade, the scientific mysteries that remain to be unraveled, and what to watch for during the upcoming decade of lunar exploration. We will talk about ice hidden in ancient shadows, impact craters that appear as we watch, some very weird geology, and the intrepid expeditions aiming to make sense of it all. The Moon may also be the first world beyond our own on which humans may have an environmental impact, and we will discuss how considering our long-term impact might shape how we explore the Moon.

Bio: Dr. Parvathy Prem is a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD. Parvathy was born in Kerala, India, and lived and studied in the UK, India, and Singapore before moving to the US in 2010. She holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and now spends most of her time studying the Moon using computer models. She is particularly interested in the Moon’s water cycle, and in understanding how visiting spacecraft interact with the lunar environment. Dr. Prem is also a member of the science teams for NASA’s ongoing Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and upcoming Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) missions.

Format: ZOOM Presentation